Bottle cap



l B. H. WARD BOTTLE CAP Filed June 11,) 195e /6 lwlillllilillli Ilm! /6 INVENTOR Bernard H Ward,

ATTORNEY United States Patent BOTTLE CAP Bernard H. Ward, Atwater, Ohio, assgnor to Buhl Chenoweth, Jr., Akron, Ohio Continuation of application Serial No. 222,030, April 20, 1951. This application `lune 11, 1956, Serial No. 590,714

3 (Cl. 21S-39) This invention relates to bottle closures and more particularly to the crown type of metal cap.

The crown cap is well known and widely used because of the facility with which it may be mechanically applied, as well as the fact that it forms a tight seal. It is widely recognized, however, that this cap also has several definite defects. Probably the most important of these is that the crown cap cannot be removed by the fingers but requires a particular tool for removal and such tool is not always at hand. Moreover, the crown cap is destroyed as a sealing member by its removal from a bottle and consequently is not reusable. Furthermore, the crown cap is subject to gripping the lip or bead of a bottle with such pressure that the lip or neck of the bottle frequently is broken in removing the cap so that the bottle and its contents are lost.

As the foregoing defects of the crown cap are well known, many modifications of and substitutions for the cap have been proposed. None of these caps or closures have proved successful commercially, however, because.

in production, they did not function as intended and/ or they fail to provide a tight seal.

Having in mind the defects of the prior art devices, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a crown type of bottle cap which has all of the advantages but overcomes the defects of the standard crown cap.

It is another object of the invention to provide a crown type of bottle cap which may be manipulated by hand.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a crown type of bottle cap which is reusable.

lt is a further object of the invention to provide a crown type of bottle cap which will not apply excessive pressure to the bottle.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide a crown type of bottle cap which has simplicity of design, economy of construction and eiliciency in operation.

The foregoing objects, and others ancillary thereto, are preferably accomplished in accordance with the present invention by a cap having 'a depending corrugated flange including two types of corrugations in alternative groups about the flange. One type of corrugations are clamping corrugations which comprise standard crown cap corrugations having clamping portions which grip the lip of the bottle and the other type of corrugations are plain, bellows-like corrugations, there being groups of each type alternately disposed so that the clamping corrugations secure the cap at spaced points. A finger tab or the like is preferably incorporated in at least one group of clamping corrugations and dependent from the cap flange to facilitate manipulation of the group of clamping corrugations by hand.

The clamping corrugations are arranged with the manually operable, or tab incorporated, group, substantially symmetrically opposite the other group or groups which should not extend more than substantially half way around the flange with the possible exception of single clamping corrugations interspersed in the groups of plain corrugations, particularly those flanking the manually operable clamping group. The plain corrugations give enough to prevent excessive pressure by the clamping corrugations and are subject to expansion and contraction, by manual manipulation of the finger tab, to enable removal and reseating of the cap. Arcuate depressions may be formed in the top of the cap adjacent the plain corrugations to press the sealing member within the cap against the top of the bottle and seal the cap as the plain corrugations may only frictionally engage the bottle lip. Small protrusions may be provided in the outer folds of at least some of the corrugations to position a wire loop for securing the corrugations if the bottles contain liquids under pressure, such as highly carbonated liquids.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several figures and in which:

Figure l is a view in perspective of an installed bottle cap of the crown type incorporating the present invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view corresponding to line 2--2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the blank from which the cap is formed, the subsequent folds being indicated in broken line;

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of a cap prior to installation and incorporating a slight modification;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified cap;

Figure 6 is a plan view of another modification of the cap; and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view, partially in cross-section, and showing a cap which is modified for use with liquids under pressure.

Referring now to the drawings, specically to Figure 1, a cap in accordance with the present invention comprises a typical cap 1 in'that it includes a circular top 2 having a corrugated flange 3 depending completely around the periphery of the top 2. In accordance with the invention, however, the flange 3 has two different types of corrugations in alternate groups.

One type of corrugations, as best seen in Figures l and 3, comprise clamping corrugations 4 which are typical crown cap corrugations having relatively wide flattened inner folds each formed with an inward offset clamping portion 5 for fitting under the lip L of a bottle B, as best shown in Figure 2.

The other type of corrugations comprise plain, sinuous, bellows-like folds or corrugations 6, these corrugations being arranged in a like number of groups as the clamp,

ing corrugations 4 and interposed therebetween. These plain corrugations 6 obviously do not grip the bottle but depend against and may frictionally engage the outer side of the bottle lip L so that they assist in securing and sealing the cap 1 on the bottle B although they do not actually clamp the cap on the bottle.

The plain corrugations 6 afford a limited flexibility to the flange 3 between the groups of clamping corrugations. As is well known, the clamping corrugations 4 have no material flexibility because of the transverse bracing by the offset clamping portions 5. Moreover, because the clamping portions 5 are secured under the lip L they resist movement and fleXure and inhibit flexibility in the flange as a whole. The plain corrugations, however, are not braced or restrained and, consequently, will easily 3 and readily flex to the limitimposed by the characteristic of the material of which the cap is composed.

The interposition of the plain corrugations 6 provides several ldistinct and highly desirable advantages. ln Vthe rst place, they substantially eliminate damage to the bottle due to excessive pressure by the clannging -corrugati'ons because the plain corrugations 6V have suilicient give to relieve excessive pressure bythe spaced groups of clamping corrugations. .In the second place, the plain corrugations 6 .provide expansion and contraction portions enabling hand or finger manipulation of one of the groups of clamping corrugations 4 for not only removing but also reseating and resealing the cap.

Because of the flexibility of the plain corrugations 6, an operator may remove the cap 1 from the bottle B by inserting a finger or any implement under one group of clamping corrugations 4 and pressing outwardly. Under the pressure, theV plaiucorrugations 6 on each side of the particular group of clamping corrugations will expand in a 'bellows-like manner and permit outward swinging of the clamping corrugations 4 so that the clamping portions 5 thereof are released and moved out from under the bottle lip L.

It should be noted that the llexure enabling movement of the group of clamping elements 4 takes place within the auge 3, specifically within the adjoining groups of plain corrugations 6 so that the top 2 of the cap is not deformed and the cap is not destroyed as in the case with the standard crown cap. Thus, the cap is readily reusable and may be reseated and resealed merely by replacing it on the bottle B and pressing in the group of clamping corrugations 4 that had been vpreviously released, the adjoining plain corrugations 6 being contracted in a bellows-like `manner by the pressure action.

In order to facilitate the removal and reseating of the cap, ainger tap 7 may be formed on the auge 3, said tab 7 depending .sufliciently fbelow the flange 3 to accommodate ready grasping by the fingers. As it is necessary to release one of the clamping groups, the tab 7 is coincident with one of said groups and is shown as incorporated with group 4a.

In order to facilitate manual removal and reseating of the cap, the manually operable clamping group 4a should be sulciently spaced from the other clamping groups to enable movement of the cap 1 after the manually operable group is released. Therefore, it is preferred that the other group or groups of clamping corrugations should not extend more than substantially half way around the cap. Moreover, it is preferred that the manual group 4a be opposite the group or groups, preferably substantially symmetrically or centrally thereof. Thus the invention may incorporate different forms, as illustrated, for example, in Figures 1, 3, 5 and 6.

In Figures l and 3, the flange 3 is shown as comprising three substantially equally spaced groups of each type, namely, groups 4a, 4b, and 4c of clamping corrugations and groups 6a, 6b, and 6c of .plain corrugations. The manually operable Vgroup 4d preferably does not comprise as many 'corrugations as the other clamping groups so as` to preserve flexibility. Consequently, the adjacent plain 'groups 6a Aand 6c may comprise more corrugations or the groups other than group 4f: may be substantially uniform` in circumferential area. ln any event, the clamping groups 4b and 4c will not extend substantially beyond half way around .said ange opposite the manually f operable group 4a.

On the other hand, the flange 3 may comprise only two groups of each type, as shown in Figure 5, the plain group 6b being eliminated and the clamping groups 4b and 4c being combined as a single group 4bc. ln this event, the group 4b preferably extends substantially half way around the ange 3. Moreover, the group 4bc preferably is substantially symmetrically opposite the group 4a.

.If desired, even more groups may be incorporated, for

example, there .may berfour groups of each type as .shown in Figure 6. Furthermore, uger tabs may be incorporated with more than one group of clamping corrugations. As specifically shown, there may be four groups of each type, there being clamping groups 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d, with linger tabs 7 and '7' respectively incorporated with groups 4a and 4d, and plain groups 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d.

As there are more groups and wider distribution of the clamping corrugations, each group may comprise fewer clamping corrugations, as few as one oorrugation for each group. It is still preferred, however, that the clamping groups be distributed so that, except for the manually operated group, they do not extend around more than substantially half of the flange 3. Thus the groups 4b, 4d and '4c extend onlyslightly more than half way around the flange opposite the group 4a, the groups 4a, 4b and 4a" are around only half the flange opposite the group 4c, and the 'other groups are likewise similarly arranged relative to each other.

As previously stated, it is preferred that the groups of clamping corrugations, other than the manually operable group, should Aextend only 'about half way around the 'cap ange to facilitate removal of the cap. ln this case, to remove the cap, it is only necessary to release one group of clamping corrugations 4, the group being swung outwardly just enough for its clamping portions 5 to pass the lbulge of the bottle lip L. The cap can then be swung 'upwardly until vthe portions 5 of the group pass the lip L, the cap pivoting about the two point engagement with thel bottle of the laterally disposed portions ofthe other kclamping group or groups. When the portions 5 of the manually operable group are free of the lip L, the cap may then be moved 'slightly across the mouth of the bottle to free the other clamping group or groups from the lip L so that the cap can be lifted of the bottle. Thus, only one clamping group need be manipulated in removing and reseating the cap. If 'a large number of groups are employed, as shown in Figure 6, it may be desirable to employ a plurality of manually operable groups for releasing the cap from the bottle lip L at a plurality of places.

In view of the fact that the plain corru'gations do not clamp under lthe bottle ylip L, and, therefore, do not hold the cap down on the bottle, there is a slight possibility that pressure within the bottle might cause suflicient springing of the top of the cap adjacent lthe groups of plain corrugations to permit slight leakage under the usual cap sealing member 10 which usually comprises a cork -disc or other gasket-like member. To prevent the possibility of lsuch leakage, the vcap top 2 may be provided with depressions 8 adjacent the periphery with each `depression coinciding with a group of plain corrugations. VThese depressions are preferably arcuate and are positioned to overlie the top rim of the bottle B. Thus, when the cap is installed on the bottle, as shown 1n Figure 2, the depressions 8 compress the underlying portions of the sealing member 10 against the bottle rim and thereby prevent an imperfect seal adjacent the plain corrugations.

It will be observed that a cap embodying the present invention is of the same general size and conformation as a standard-crown cap and, in general, is installed in the same manner. Thus, it is capable of application to bottles by the conventional capping machines without the necessity of changes in the machines or operation. As these caps are formed, as shown in Figure 3, from flat sheet material, the same as the conventional crown cap, the tab portion 7 may be formed from the normally wasted material between adjacent circular areas from which the cap proper is made. Thus, a cap in accordance with the present invention not only encompasses the advantages of the conventional crown cap, but overcomes the deficiencies and diiculties'inherent in the usual crown cap.

The present cap may also be adapted for use in sealing liquids under pressure, particularly highly carbonated beverages, by employing the construction of Figure 7, wherein an encircling ring 16 is received against the undersurface of struck projections 15, and in this manner, the encircling ring 16 would have to be loosened prior to removal of the cap from the bottle. It is believed apparent that a manually operable wrap-joint could be eiectuated at the ends of the ring 16 to facilitate removal and insertion of the same with respect to the bottle cap.

It will be seen from the foregoing that there has been provided a new and novel type of bottle cap characterized by the fact that the same employs a standard size of crown cap that is modified in its skirt portion so as to include alternate gripping and sealing surfaces.

It is believed apparent that modications of the invention could be resorted to without departing from the spirit hereof or the scope of the appended claims.

This application is a continuation of co-pending application, Serial NO. 222,030, led April 20, 1951.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a container having a circular mouth opening, a crown metal bottle cap, comprising a circular top, an integral skirt portion depending downwardly from the peripheral edge of said top portion at substantially right angles thereto, said skirt being dened by a series of corrugated ribs, all of which have their inner faces capable of frictional contact with an exterior wall of said mouth opening, certain of said ribs being instruck, said instruck ribs being arranged contiguously around the periphery in a plurality of arcuate segments whereby each arcuate segment of instruck ribs is separated by an arcuate segment of normal ribs that extend from said circular top at substantially right angles therewith, so as to be in substantial parallelism with an axis passing through the center of said top; said normal rib segments being expandable at their free edge whereby the effective diameter of said skirt may be varied; said arcuate segments of said normal ribs defining a circle having a diameter no larger than the diameter of said external diameter of said mouth opening; said arcuate segments of said instruck ribs dening a circle having a diameter less than the external diameter of said mouth opening and also less than the diameter of the circle defined by said normal ribs.

2. In combination with a container having a circular mouth opening, a crown metal bottle cap, comprising a circular top, an integral skirt portion depending downwardly from the peripheral edge of said top portion at substantially right angles thereto, said skirt being defined by a series of corrugated ribs, all of which have their inner faces capable of frictional contact with an exterior wall of said mouth opening, certain of said ribs being instruck, said instruck ribs being arranged contiguously around the periphery in a plurality of arcuate segments whereby each arcuate segment of instruck ribs is separated by an arcuate segment ot' normal ribs that extend from said circular top at substantially right angles therewith, so as to be in substantial parallelism with an axis passing through the center of said top; said normal rib segments being expandable at their free edge whereby the elective diameter of said skirt may be varied; said arcuate segments of said normal ribs dening a circle having a diameter no larger than the diameter of said external diameter of said mouth opening; said arcuate segments of said instruck ribs defining a circle having a diameter less than the external diameter of said mouth opening and also less than the diameter of the circle deined by said normal ribs, said skirt further including a tab portion defined by one instruck segment and depending beyond the free edge of said skirt. g

3. In combination with a container having a circular mouth opening, a crown metal bottle cap; comprising a circular top, an integral skirt portion depending downwardly from the peripheral edge of said top portion at substantially right angles thereto, said skirt being dened by a series of corrugated ribs, all of which have their inner faces capable of frictional contact with an exterior wall of said mouth opening, certain of said ribs being instruck, said instruck ribs being arranged contiguously around the periphery in a plurality of arcuate segments whereby each arcuate segment of instruck ribs is separated by an arcuate segment of normal ribs that extend from said circular top at substantially right angles therewith, so as to be in substantial parallelism with an axis passing through the center of said top; said normal rig segments being expandable at their free edge whereby the -eiective diameter of said skirt may be varied; said arcuate segments of said normal ribs defining a circle having a diameter no larger than the diameter of said external diameter of said mouth opening; said arcuate segments of said instruck ribs dening a circle having a diameter less than the external diameter of said mouth opening and also less than the diameter of the circle defined by said normal ribs, said skirt further including a tab portion defined by one instruck segment and depending beyond the free edge of said skirt, said top including arcuate depressions; said depressions being of an arcuate length corresponding substantially to the peripheral length of each said segment of normal ribs and being radially inwardly of the peripheral edge of said top.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

